Cops given go ahead to charge firemen

-over theft from plane

After two weeks of investigations, police have obtained legal advice to institute charges against the firemen who are accused of stealing valuables from crew members and passengers from the Fly Jamaica airplane that crash-landed here earlier this month.

Yesterday, police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan provided an update on the investigation. He disclosed that one of the dozen firemen who are accused of stealing will be charged with simple larceny while the others will be charged with “having under their control articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen.”

He noted that the men are likely to appear in court this week but was not in a position to give a definite date.

The dozen firemen are accused of stealing after the airplane crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on the morning of November 9th at around 2.45. The firemen promptly responded, and shortly after, they were accused of removing personal items belonging to the crew and passengers of the Fly Jamaica aircraft.

The file on the investigation was initially sent for advice a week ago to the Police Legal Advisor, retired justice Claudette Singh. However she had asked the police to conduct further investigations and to offer clarity on seven points. This was done and the file was re-sent to her office late last week with the additional information and clarity asked for.

During that preliminary investigation, one fireman came forward with some of the stolen items.

After a report was made to the police of personal belongings going missing, an investigation was launched. The firemen were released from police custody on $100,000 bail each.

The dozen firemen who are accused have all been suspended, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle had told this newspaper. An independent investigation at the fire service is still ongoing and a Board of Inquiry is probing the allegations against the firemen.